Monthly Archives: June 2014

Have you ever seen a person with a bone fracture or pneumonia, sitting at his home and not coming for treatment as he feels that bone fracture or pneumonia are nor diseases? I would guess that your answer would be a no with certainty. But then why is it that many millions with diseases of mind are not coming for treatment.

Psychiatrist in Mohali

This is a shocking reality and to change this we all need to understand this growing problem better. Our mind is like any other bodily system and has its own diseases or ailments. For adequate functioning of ourselves we all need a sound mind and a healthy body. Physically we can manage ourselves adequately inspite of some diseases or handicaps like using a prosthetic. But unfortunately there are no prosthetics for a handicapped mind. So this further necessitates our empathic approach towards diseases of mind.
Diseases of mind results due to variety of factors like genetics/hereditary, environment, brain chemistry and others such as personal and social issues. It can affect any body and no one immune to these diseases. They can present as disturbances in sleep and appetite, being anxious, feeling sad, loss of interest in routine activities and feeling fatigued. Some other illnesses may present as washing hands over and over, repeatedly checking locks and doors. Still other kind may present as being suspicious, fearful, aggressive and not taking good care of one’s own self.

Psychiatrists in Chandigarh

Psychiatric disorders can vary a lot from above mentioned problems as they may present in childhood such as being excessively naughty, lagging in studies, poor concentration or dyslexia, autism, bed wetting and speech disorders. Similarly in adulthood other problems could be marital difficulties, sexual problems etc
A wide range of treatment options are available for these variety of disorders like medications, counselling and additional support from biologically based relaxation exercises. Related to treatment it is a common myth among masses that all psychiatric medications are same, sleep producing and are addictive. However in reality this is not the case, we have different medications for different cases and they are not addictive. These medicines are just as safe as medicine prescribed for high blood pressure or diabetes.
Our endeavour is to promote the mental health and make masses aware about this gigantic problem which is treatable and preventable to some extent.

Everyone would say it’s a growing menace and one another hand people wouldn’t even feel comfortable while talking to a person who is suffering from addiction. This term “addiction” carries a load stigma on its back and it hinders the new outlook.

Addiction is a biological disease and it is certainly not a choice as many would suggest. Now being a disease it has symptoms like craving for substance (alcohol, opium, tobacco etc.), withdrawal symptoms in absence of substance intake. Along with this there are many other ill effects of this disease such as social isolation, marital & social dysfunction and involvement in illegal activities such as thefts, drug peddling etc. Fortunately its medical treatment is available and is successful in majority of cases.

drug de addiction

First time use of various substances like alcohol, tobacco, cannabis etc. is very common among adolescents and young adults. This results from a variety of factors like peer influences, familial & social factors. But who will develop addiction or dependence as we doctors call it?

Well there is no single answer to it, there is role of genetics and hereditary, then there are personal, social and environmental influences. The continued long term use of substances produces changes in our brain and nerves and thus body becomes used to it. So when a patient stops taking substances even for a day or two it leads to withdrawal symptoms such as decreased sleep, craving, anxiety, tremors in hands and many others. These symptoms and associated craving maintains the substance use.

To treat such patients we have number of medicines for controlling withdrawal symptoms and in combination with counselling the approach can lead to reversal of changes in brain and nerves. For majority of substances the acute withdrawal period lasts for eleven to fifteen days and can be easily managed with treatment. Thereafter depending on case, we have multiple options which can either decrease the craving for substances or can reduce the reinforcing effects of substances.

For those individuals who have tried medical treatment on multiple occasions but have failed, can also be managed with options of long term treatment with medicines and counselling. To sum up, addiction is a form of medical disease which can be treated and suffering individual needs to be socially supported and encouraged to take the treatment.